Micro- and Nano-Roughness Separation Based on Fractal Analysis.

When describing the tribological behaviour of technical surfaces, the need for full-length scale microtopographic characterization often arises. The self-affine of surfaces and the characterisation of self-affine using a fractal dimension and its implantation into tribological models are commonly used. The goal of our present work was to determine the frequency range of fractal behaviour of surfaces by analysing the microtopographic measurements of an anodised aluminium brake plunger. We also wanted to know if bifractal and multifractal behaviour can be detected in real machine parts. As a result, we developed a new methodology for determining the fractal range boundaries to separate the nano- and micro-roughness. To reach our goals, we used an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a stylus instrument to obtain measurements in a wide frequency range (19 nm-3 mm). Power spectral density (PSD)-based fractal evaluation found that the examined surface could not be characterised by a single fractal dimension. A new method capable of separating nano- and micro-roughness has been developed for investigating multifractal behaviour. The presented procedure separates nano- and micro-roughness based on the geometric characteristics of surfaces. In this way, it becomes possible to specifically examine the relationship between the micro-geometry that can be measured in each wavelength range and the effects of cutting technology and the material structure that creates them.

Psychiatric health care need in Hungary identified by the short screening algorithm of depression and suicide risk used in general medical practices.

Suicides are often related to depression. General medical practices (GMPs) should play a role in screening depression. We aimed to test the screening algorithm of Rihmer and Torzsa for depression and suicide and determine the prevalence and number of patients in the nationwide representative Hungarostudy 2002 population, and to estimate the corresponding extra health care need in an average GMP and in the Hungarian population in addition to patients who are already cared for by specialized care. The short version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and the Hungarian version of the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-9) were used to screen for suicide risk and depression. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and depression was determined and findings were extrapolated to an average GMP of 1,600 adults and to the population over 25 years of age. This screening would generate a considerable extra psychiatric care to organize and implement in an average GMP and throughout the country. Our findings show that with easily administered screening instruments a significant number of patients likely to have depression can be identified at the primary care level, arguing for the establishment of the extra psychiatric care capacity in Hungary.

Is Prescription Nonredemption a Source of Poor Health Among the Roma? Cross-Sectional Analysis of Drug Consumption Data From the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary.

Background: The health status of the Roma is inferior to that of the general population. The causes of poor health among this population are still ambiguous, but they include low utilization of healthcare services. Our study aimed to investigate prescription redemptions in segregated Roma colonies (SRC) where the most disadvantaged quartile of Roma people are living. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with data obtained from the National Institute of Health Insurance Fund Management in the settlements belonging to the study area of the "Public Health-Focused Model Program for Organizing Primary Care Services." The study included 4,943 residents of SRC and 62,074 residents of the complementary area (CA) of the settlements where SRC were located. Crude and age- and sex-standardized redemption ratios for SRC and CA were calculated for each Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) group and for the total practice by ATC group. Standardized relative redemptions (RR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for SRC, with CA as a reference. Results: The crude redemption ratios were 73.13% in the SRC and 71.15% in the CA. RRs were higher in the SRC than in the CA for cardiovascular, musculoskeletal system, and alimentary tract and metabolism drugs (11.5, 3.7, and 3.5%, respectively). In contrast, RRs were lower in the SRC than in the CA for anti-infective agents (22.9%) due to the poor redemption of medicines prescribed for children or young adults. Despite the overall modest differences in redemption ratios, some ATC groups showed remarkable differences. Those include cardiovascular, alimentary and musculoskeletal drugs. Conclusion: Redemption of prescriptions was significantly higher among Roma people living in SRC than among those living in CA. The better redemption of cardiovascular and alimentary tract drugs was mainly responsible for this effect. These findings contradict the stereotype that the Roma do not use health services properly and that prescription non-redemption is responsible for their poor health.

Organised and opportunistic prevention in primary health care: estimation of missed opportunities by population based health interview surveys in Hungary.

BACKGROUND: Improvement of preventive services for adults can be achieved by opportunistic or organised methods in primary care. The unexploited opportunities of these approaches were estimated by our investigation. METHODS: Data from the Hungarian implementation of European Health Interview Surveys in 2009 (N = 4709) and 2014 (N = 5352) were analysed. Proportion of subjects used interventions in target group (screening for hypertension and diabetes mellitus, and influenza vaccination) within a year were calculated. Taking into consideration recommendations for the frequency of intervention, numbers of missed interventions among patients visited a general practitioner in a year and among patients did not visit a general practitioner in a year were calculated in order to describe missed opportunities that could be utilised by opportunistic or organised approaches. Numbers of missed interventions were estimated for the entire population of the country and for an average-sized general medical practice. RESULTS: Implementation ratio were 66.8% for blood pressure measurement among subjects above 40 years and free of diagnosed hypertension; 63.5% for checking blood glucose among adults above 45 and overweighed and free of diagnosed diabetes mellitus; and 19.1% for vaccination against seasonal influenza. There were 4.1 million interventions implemented a year in Hungary, most of the (3.8 million) among adults visited general practitioner in a year. The number of missed interventions was 4.5 million a year; mostly (3.4 million) among persons visited general practitioner in a year. For Hungary, the opportunistic and organised missed opportunities were estimated to be 561,098, and 1,150,321 for hypertension screening; 363,270, and 227,543 for diabetes mellitus screening; 2,784,072, and 380,033 for influenza vaccination among the < 60 years old high risk subjects, and 3,029,700 and 494,150 for influenza vaccination among more than 60 years old adults, respectively. By implementing all missed services, the workload in an average-sized general medical practice would be increased by 12-13 opportunistic and 4-5 organised interventions a week. CONCLUSIONS: The studied interventions are much less used than recommended. The opportunistic missed opportunities is prevailing for influenza vaccination, and the organised one is for hypertension screening. The two approaches have similar significance for diabetes mellitus screening.

Determinants of Primary Nonadherence to Medications Prescribed by General Practitioners Among Adults in Hungary: Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Health Insurance Data.

Background: Primary nonadherence to prescribed medications occurs when patients do not fill or dispense prescriptions written by healthcare providers. Although it has become an important public health issue in recent years, little is known about its frequency, causes, and consequences. Moreover, the pattern of risk factors shows remarkable variability across countries according to the published results. Our study aimed to assess primary nonadherence to medications prescribed by general practitioners (GPs) and its associated factors among adults in Hungary for the period of 2012-2015. Methods: Data on all general medical practices (GMPs) of the country were obtained from the National Health Insurance Fund and the Central Statistical Office. The ratio of the number of dispensed medications to the number of prescriptions written by a GP for adults was used to determine the medication adherence, which was aggregated for GMPs. The effect of GMP characteristics (list size, GP vacancy, patients' education provided by a GMP, settlement type [urban or rural], and geographical location [by county] of the center) on adherence, standardized for patients' age, sex, and eligibility for an exemption certificate, were investigated through generalized linear regression modeling. Results: A total of 281,315,386 prescriptions were dispensed out of 438,614,000 written by a GP. Overall, 64.1% of prescriptions were filled. According to the generalized linear regression coefficients, there was a negative association between standardized adherence and urban settlement type (b = -0.099, 95%CI = -0.103 to -0.094), higher level of education (b = -0.440, 95%CI = -0.468 to -0.413), and vacancy of the general practices (b = -0.193, 95%CI = -0.204 to -0.182). The larger GMP size proved to be a risk factor, and there was a significant geographical inequality for counties as well. Conclusions: More than one-third of the written prescriptions of GPs for adults in Hungary were not dispensed. This high level of nonadherence had great variability across GMPs, and can be explained by structural characteristics of GMPs, the socioeconomic status of patients provided, and the quality of cooperation between patients and GPs. Moreover, our findings suggest that the use of the dispensed-to-prescribed medication ratio in routine monitoring of primary health care could effectively support the necessary interventions.

Enhancing Primary Adherence to Prescribed Medications through an Organized Health Status Assessment-Based Extension of Primary Healthcare Services.

This study was part of monitoring an intervention aimed at developing a general practitioner cluster (GPC) model of primary healthcare (PHC) and testing its effectiveness in delivering preventive services integrated into the PHC system. The aim was to demonstrate whether GPC operation could increase the percentage of drugs actually dispensed. Using national reference data of the National Health Insurance Fund for each anatomical-therapeutic chemical classification ATC group of drugs, dispensed-to-prescribed ratios standardized (sDPR) for age, sex, and exemption certificate were calculated during the first quarter of 2012 (before-intervention) and the third quarter of 2015 (post-intervention). The after-to-before ratios of the sDPR as the relative dispensing ratio (RDR) were calculated to describe the impact of the intervention program. The general medication adherence increased significantly in the intervention area (RDR = 1.064; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.054-1.073). The most significant changes were observed for cardiovascular system drugs (RDR = 1.062; 95% CI: 1.048-1.077) and for alimentary tract and metabolism-specific drugs (RDR = 1.072; 95% CI: 1.049-1.097). The integration of preventive services into a PHC without any specific medication adherence-increasing activities is beneficial for medication adherence, especially among patients with cardiovascular, alimentary tract, and metabolic disorders. Monitoring the percentage of drugs actually dispensed is a useful element of PHC-oriented intervention evaluation frames.

[Resource allocation effectiveness of indicator-based performance monitoring in Hungarian primary care for adults]. / Az indikátoralapú teljesítményértékelésre épülo forráselosztás hatékonysága Magyarországon a felnotteket ellátó háziorvosi praxisokban.

Introduction: The indicator-based performance monitoring and pay-for-performance system for Hungarian primary care was established in 2009, covering the whole country. It is based on a stable legal system and well operating information technology. Although, the health insurance system is able to facilitate the performance improvement only by the financing for general medical practices, the many times modified present system does not take into consideration (apart from the geographical location of practices) factors which determine the performance but cannot be influenced by general practitioners. Aim: The study aimed at renewing the indicator set and evaluation methodology in order to enable the monitoring to evaluate the performance of general medical practices independent of their structural characteristics. Method: Each adult care specific primary care performance indicator from June 2016 covering the whole country has been investigated. Indicators adjusted for structural practice characteristics (age and gender of patients; relative education of people provided; settlement type and county of the practice) have been computed. The difference between adjusted indicators and national reference values has been evaluated by statistical testing. Appropriateness of the present monitoring and financing system has been investigated by comparing the practice level presently applied and adjusted indicators to outline the opportunities to develop the present system. Results: The present monitoring allocates 34.46% of pay-for-performance resources for improving the performance of practices. The majority of resources supports the conservation of performance. Furthermore, the present system is not able to identify each practice with better than reference performance, withholding amount corresponding to 8.83% of pay-for-performance resources. If this financing were restricted to practices with significantly better than reference performance, the maximum of the financing a month in a practice would increase from 176 042 HUF (551 EURO) to 406 604 HUF (1274 EURO). Conclusion: Completing the performance monitoring system operated at present by the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary with indicators adjusted for structural characteristics of the general medical practices, the resource allocation effectiveness could be improved. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(39): 1542-1553.

Improvement in Quality of Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Hungary Between 2008 and 2016: Results from Two Population-Based Representative Surveys.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the increasing trends of recent decades, diabetes prevalence has reached a frequency of 1/11 adults worldwide. However, this disadvantageous trend has not been accompanied by worsened outcome indicators; better short-term (e.g., HbA1c levels) and long-term [e.g., all-cause mortality among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients] outcomes can be observed globally. We aimed to describe changes in the effectiveness of type 2 diabetes mellitus care between 2008 and 2016 based on outcome indicators. METHODS: The study is a secondary analysis of data from two previously performed surveys. Both surveys were conducted in the framework of the General Practitioners' Morbidity Sentinel Stations Program (GPMSSP), which maintains a nationally representative registry of T2DM patients. RESULTS: The largest improvement was observed in achieving fasting blood glucose and HbA1c target values [OR = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-0.80 and OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.48-0.70, respectively]. Moderate improvement was detected by reaching body mass index (BMI), diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol target values (OR = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.65-0.93; OR = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.65-0.94 and OR = 0.76, 95% CI, 0.63-0.92, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that if standardized indicators are investigated in population-based samples, the effectiveness of T2DM care can be monitored by ad hoc surveys. The systematic application of this approach completed with the detailed documentation of the applied therapies could demonstrate the public health impact of certain modifications in T2DM care. An overall improvement in metabolic control (glycaemic control, lipid status and obesity) was observed, which was not accompanied by improved therapeutic target achievement for systolic blood pressure.

Hemodiafiltration and hemodialysis differently affect P wave duration and dispersion on the surface electrocardiogram.

AIM: The incidence of atrial fibrillation is increased during hemodialysis (HD); however, the effects of hemodiafiltration (HDF) on atrial arrhythmias have not been evaluated. The prolongation of the P wave and P dispersion (Pd) can predict atrial arrhythmias. METHODS: Data from 30 patients receiving HDF over a period of 3 months were collected; the same group of patients was then evaluated during treatment with conventional HD for at least another 3 months. Electrolyte values were obtained, and surface electrocardiograms (ECG), echocardiography, and Holter ECGs were performed. RESULTS: The duration of the P wave and Pd increased significantly during HD. The left atrial diameter decreased significantly only during HDF. During HDF, the left atrial cross diameter measured at the beginning of the session was positively correlated with the incidence of supraventricular premature beats (p = 0.011, r = 0.4556). The decrease in left atrial diameter during HDF was negatively correlated with the incidence of supraventricular premature beats (p = 0.016, r = -0.43). During HDF, the changes in sodium and Pd were significantly positively correlated (p < 0.05, r = 0.478). During HD, the changes in ionized calcium levels and Pd were positively correlated (p < 0.05, r = 0.377). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HDF has a more beneficial effect on P wave duration and Pd than HD. The alterations in the ECG markers may be the result of the simultaneous occurrence of certain electrolyte imbalances and renal replacement methods.

[End stage renal disease and ventricular arrhythmia. Hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration differently affect ventricular repolarization]. / Végstádiumú vesebetegség és kamrai szívritmuszavarok. A hemodialízis és a hemodiafiltráció a kamrai repolarizációt eltéroen befolyásolja.

Various factors (hypertension [27%], diabetes mellitus [40%]) and their cardiovascular complications play an important role in the genesis of end stage renal disease. Furthermore, primary kidney diseases (glomerulonephritis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, obstructive uropathy, analgesic nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, autoimmune diseases) have an unfavorable effect on the cardiovascular outcome of this particular population. Increased susceptibility for arrhythmias may be caused by intermittent volume overload, metabolic disturbance, renal anemia, structural and electrophysiological changes of the myocardium, inflammatory mechanisms that may worsen the mortality statistics of these patients. A novel renal replacement method, hemodiafiltration - based on a convective transport - ensures reduced mortality that may be attributed to a decreased occurrence of arrhythmias. The aim of this paper is to review the pathogenetic factors taking part in the arrhythmogenesis of end stage renal disease and to provide diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities that can help in the prediction and prevention of arrhythmias.

Pathophysiological and clinical approach to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

Hyperdynamic circulation, systolic and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction and certain electrophysiological abnormalities have been associated with cirrhosis and known for a long time. These clinical features have been introduced as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM), which is characterized by blunted myocardial contractile responsiveness to physical, physiological and pharmacological stress. Importantly, cardiac dysfunction can be reversible and can improve due to effective medical treatment and also after liver transplantation. Echocardiography and electrocardiography are essential tools for recognizing the characteristic changes in the myocardial function and also the alterations in the electrophysiological properties of the heart. Laboratory markers are auxiliary modalities further aiding the establishment of the correct diagnosis. In this review, we aimed to collect the pathophysiological background and clinical characteristics of CCM with the intention of summarizing the current possibilities for the diagnosis establishment and treatment of this cardio-hepatic disorder.

Pseudopheochromocytoma induced by anxiolytic withdrawal.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic paroxysmal hypertension without significantly elevated catecholamine concentrations and with no evidence of an underlying adrenal tumor is known as pseudopheochromocytoma. METHODS: We describe the case of a female patient with paroxysmal hypertensive crises accompanied by headache, vertigo, tachycardia, nausea and altered mental status. Previously, she was treated for a longer period with alprazolam due to panic disorder. Causes of secondary hypertension were excluded. Neurological triggers (intracranial tumor, cerebral vascular lesions, hemorrhage, and epilepsy) could not be detected. RESULTS: Setting of the diagnosis of pseudopheochromocytoma treatment was initiated with alpha- and beta-blockers resulting in reduced frequency of symptoms. Alprazolam was restarted at a daily dose of 1 mg. The patient's clinical condition improved rapidly and the dosage of alpha- and beta-blockers could be decreased. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the withdrawal of an anxiolytic therapeutic regimen may generate sympathetic overdrive resulting in life-threatening paroxysmal malignant hypertension and secondary encephalopathy. We emphasize that pseudopheochromocytoma can be diagnosed only after exclusion of the secondary causes of hypertension. We highlight the importance of a psychopharmacological approach to this clinical entity.

Hemodiafiltration beneficially affects QT interval duration and dispersion compared to hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prolongation of the QT interval and dispersion could predict ventricular arrhythmias. It is not yet established whether there is a difference between the effects of hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration on QT interval duration and dispersion. METHODS: Data of thirty patients was investigated while they were receiving hemodiafiltration over a period of 3 months; then the same group of patients was evaluated during treatment with conventional hemodialysis for at least another 3 months. Ionic parameters and surface electrocardiograms (ECG) were analyzed five times during each session, and 2D, M-mode echocardiography and Holter ECGs were performed to acquire additional information. RESULTS: QT interval duration (QTmax) and dispersion (QTd) showed a significant increase during hemodialysis, but not during hemodiafiltration. QTmax was 388.66 ± 31.81 ms at the beginning of hemodialysis and increased to 400.66 ± 39.12 ms even at the 30th minute (p < 0.05). QTd was found to be 31.33 ± 10.08 ms before the commencement of hemodialysis with the largest prolongation being seen at the 240th minute (51.33 ± 14.56 ms, p < 0.05). The occurrence of ventricular premature beats was significantly higher during hemodialysis (p = 0.018). The left atrial diameter significantly decreased at the end of hemodiafiltration (at the beginning 45.1 ± 5.25 mm, at the end 40.77 ± 5.76 mm; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a beneficial effect of hemodiafiltration on the studied electrocardiographic parameters compared to hemodialysis. The larger decrease in the left atrial diameter suggests a more efficient intracardiac volume-decreasing potential of hemodiafiltration.

Hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration differently modulate left ventricular diastolic function.

BACKGROUND: Renal replacement therapy may have a favorable effect on diastolic left ventricular function, but it is not clear whether hemodiafiltration is superior to hemodialysis in this field. Nitric oxide (NO) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) may play a role in the changes of intracardiac hemodynamics, but it is not clear whether the different renal replacement methods have disparate influence on the metabolism of these materials. METHODS: Thirty patients on renal replacement therapy were investigated. First, data was analyzed while patients received hemodiafiltration over a period of three months. Then, the same patients were evaluated during treatment with hemodialysis for at least another three months. Echocardiography was performed before and after renal replacement therapy. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the volume removals between hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration. The left atrial diameter and transmitral flow velocities (E/A) decreased significantly only during hemodiafiltration. A positive correlation was observed between the left atrial diameter and E/Ea representing the left ventricular pressure load during hemodiafiltration. Significant correlations between NO and A and E/A were observed only in the case of hemodiafiltration. CONCLUSION: Hemodiafiltration has a beneficial effect on echocardiographic markers representing left ventricular diastolic function. This could be attributed to the differences between the dynamics of volume removal and its distribution among liquid compartments.